Gov. Jim Pillen delivers Sine Die address to Nebraska’s Legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Governor Jim Pillen on Friday delivered a Sine Die address to the 109th Nebraska Legislature.

A Sine Die address is a speech delivered by a governor or legislative leader to mark the final adjournment of a legislative session.

Sine Die is Latin for “without day,” indicating that the body is adjourning indefinitely without setting a specific date to reconvene.

Pillen opened his address, touching on the recent wildfires that burned more than 800,000 acres in western Nebraska.

“This isn’t just a story about the number of acres burned. It is lives changed. It is livestock lost. It is real pain,” Pillen said. “These fires hurt, and the recovery of our land and people will take time – but I believe we’re at the beginning of a comeback story. We know fences can be mended. We know buildings can be rebuilt. We know Nebraskans help Nebraskans – and the pioneering spirit that makes our people strong and unbreakable is shining through.”

SEE ALSO: Wildfires break out in western Nebraska

He went on to express his appreciation to all the volunteer firefighters, National Guard servicemembers, emergency responders, local officials, and others who pitched in to fight back against the fires.

Pillen then thanked numerous outgoing lawmakers, including Senators Rob Clements, Machaela Cavanaugh, Megan Hunt, Wendy DeBoer, John Arch, Ben Hansen, Christy Armendariz, Mike Moser, Jane Raybould, Myron Dorn, Tom Brandt, Dave Murman and Fred Meyer.

He went on to tout the success of the 109th Legislature, including signing over 60 bills at the request of the Governor, passed by this body – an 80% success rate.

“When we focus on key issues – and work together – we make a real, meaningful, lasting difference for the people of our state,” he said.

“As Nebraskans do, we passed a fiscally responsible, historically conservative, balanced budget – by decreasing spending, putting pillow case money to work, and increasing revenue – ensuring that we improve services while not cutting them.”

He also listed a few highlights from this session:

• Passing Sen. Jacobson’s LB525, a first-in-the-nation law that ensures agricultural producers own and control the data generated on their farms
• Passing Sen. Murman’s LB653, which improves classroom environments and increases special education services for those families who rely on them
• The passing of the Grow the Good Life Act, which aims to create an incentive package that will help businesses grow in Nebraska and recruit talent from around the country
• LB1261’s ‘Behind the Meter’ legislation, introduced by Sen. DeKay at Pillen’s request, which will allow private companies to build their own electricity generation and keep the cost-sharing burden on those companies – not Nebraska ratepayers.

He also boasted about strengthening Nebraska’s relationship with federal partners, including President Donald Trump’s cabinet:

• The Rural Health Transformation Program
• The McCook Work Ethic Camp and Nebraska’s partnership with ICE
• Opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
• Supporting the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ initiative through Nebraska’s Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services

Pillen ended his address with an ode to Tom Osborne, who will be the first living member inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

“Coach Osborne has given so much to the people of this state — as a championship-winning coach, mentor, and statesman — he personifies the best of Nebraska,” Pillen said. “He changed my life — and he’s invested directly in countless other people across this great state. He unquestionably deserves this honor.”